Chapter 52 Bloom

The blue embers burning in Cassian's eyes glowed even brighter in the dim light of the room, and the distance between us disappeared within seconds. The more the wild warmth of his skin—still carrying the scent of fresh battle and blood—filled my lungs, the more every rational thought inside my head quietly committed suicide.

His fingers were laced tightly with mine. I could feel the incredible strength unique to the wolf in his grip, and the frantic rhythm of the golden thread connecting our minds echoed straight through my soul.

He lowered his head. His lips hovered so close to mine that every breath scorched my skin. Just as that overwhelming pull threatened to consume me completely, a familiar surge of stubborn pride flared in my chest, followed immediately by the tangled storm of thoughts crashing back into my mind.

My heart pounded hard enough to break through my ribs. Slowly, I placed both hands against his warm, muscular chest and gently pushed him back before rising from the edge of the bed.

"That should do it. Your wounds are clean... but I still think you should go to the infirmary."

I clenched my teeth to stop my voice from trembling, but I was still breathless. Leaving the unfinished medical supplies on the table, I crossed the room toward the window. I turned my back to him.

Because if I kept looking into those eyes... I knew I'd never be able to walk away. Behind me, I heard his slow, rough exhale. Cassian rose from the bed.

The steady sound of his footsteps across the wooden floor gradually broke apart the heavy silence filling the room. He was coming toward me. I didn't run. But I felt myself tense as a shiver slid down my spine.

Unhurried, Cassian stalked toward me like a predator patiently closing in on cornered prey.

When he stopped behind me, there wasn't even a breath of space left between us. My back was close enough to feel the warmth of his chest. Close enough to feel the powerful rhythm of his heartbeat. He wasn't leaving.

If anything, his overwhelming presence swallowed me completely beneath its shadow. He leaned closer until his lips brushed the hair behind my ear. His warm breath burned across my neck as he whispered.

"Why are you running from me, Little Fox? I felt the bond inside of us a moment ago too. I know how wildly your heart was beating. I know you didn't want to pull away from me.

Why are you forcing yourself?"

I swallowed as his words melted across my skin. He was right. The thread between us let our emotions bleed into each other. His voice... His breath... Sent heat flooding straight through my body.

But that didn't mean I was going to ignore everything else. I spun around and leaned back against the cold windowpane, meeting those mesmerizing blue eyes head-on.

Without giving up even an inch of the space between us, I planted both hands firmly against his chest to stop him.

"We can't do this, Cassian."

"Then tell me why," he growled, his voice deep and rough.

His hand slid to my hip, pulling me closer until I could unmistakably feel the hard evidence of just how badly he wanted me. Goddess...

It took every ounce of control I had just to find my words. Fighting back the moan threatening to escape, I whispered.

"Why are you like this? Do you enjoy playing with me?"

He slowly rolled his hips against mine.

"Playing?" he asked, his voice dropping even lower. "How exactly am I playing with you?"

The combination of his deep voice and the deliberate movement of his body sent another shiver racing through me. I forced my voice to stay cold.

"I don't know who you think you are, but I'm not some toy you can run to whenever you're bored... or whenever your wolf's instincts get the better of you."

Cassian's brows drew together. For a brief second, the warmth in his eyes gave way to genuine confusion.

"Bloom... I don't understand what you're talking about. I was only—"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about!" I cut him off.

My chest rose and fell rapidly. The hurt and anger I'd been carrying for weeks had finally found a crack to break through.

"There's someone else in your life, Cassian. Ever since I came to this pack, everyone has talked about your responsibilities... the pack's rules... and her. I'm not going to be anyone's second choice. I'm not going to become the pathetic girl who's hidden away and comforted in secret while someone else gets the life that should've been hers."

Cassian instinctively took half a step back. But I refused to look away. I had to say the one thing that had been tearing me apart.

"Honestly... I never thought you were the kind of man who could betray someone. Dark Moon's noble, honorable future Alpha... Turns out you're just another wolf chasing his instincts."

The room turned ice cold. Cassian's jaw tightened. The blue fire in his eyes dimmed for a heartbeat. I'd struck directly at his pride. At everything he believed he was. His lips parted as if to answer.

But through our mind link, I felt everything instead. His loyalty. His obligations. The overwhelming force of what he felt for me. Whether I was right or wrong... This was destroying both of us.

And Cassian wasn't the only one occupying my thoughts anymore. Buried in the furthest corner of my mind, beyond Axel... beyond the crushing weight of the pack... another face lingered. Dominic.

The strange sense of familiarity I felt whenever I thought of him only made everything more confusing. I hadn't even found my own wolf yet. I was already struggling with the untamed power inside my veins. And now I was drowning in a battlefield created by two different men.

I had to protect myself.

Cassian drew a slow, frustrated breath. He raised one hand and reached for my cheek. Before he could touch me, I turned my face away. His hand remained suspended in the air.

For the first time, I saw unmistakable helplessness on the face of that proud, powerful man.

"It's not what you think, Bloom," he said quietly, his voice almost breaking.

"Nothing is as simple as it looks... or as simple as what you've been told. I told you before. I swear to you... you were never anyone's second choice—"

"Leave, Cassian." I didn't let him finish. This time my voice was steady. Unshakable.

"Your wounds are clean. Go deal with your life. Go deal with your responsibilities. Tomorrow I have a Vault to descend into... and a past I have to uncover. I'm not going to let you confuse me anymore."

Slowly, Cassian lowered the hand still hanging between us. His fists tightened. Through the golden thread connecting us, I felt the crushing weight of his disappointment. His regret.

But he was an Alpha. His pride wouldn't allow him to stay and beg. He looked at me one last time. Leaving behind nothing but the lingering scent of blueberries and juniper, he turned away.

With slow, heavy footsteps, he crossed the room, opened the door, and walked out without looking back. The moment the door closed... The strength left my legs. I caught myself on the edge of the bed before slowly sinking down. His scent still filled the room.

The electricity he'd left burning across my skin hadn't faded. I buried my face in my hands. The raw, untamed power inside my veins was still raging from everything that had happened.

Who was I?

How had I ended up at the center of impossible love, dangerous games, and warring wolf alliances?

I tried to push away the image of Dominic... And the helpless look in Cassian's eyes before he left. Then I closed my eyes. Tomorrow... Everything would change. I knew it.

And this time... There was no one I could trust except myself.